What Does “Enquire sth of sb” Mean?
“Enquire sth of sb” means to ask someone for specific information or a favor. It is a formal way to request or seek something from a person.
Introduction
The phrase “Enquire sth of sb” is a formal English expression used when you want to ask someone for information or a particular thing. The abbreviation “sth” stands for “something,” and “sb” stands for “somebody.” This structure is often found in written English, especially in formal or polite contexts. Understanding the “Enquire sth of sb meaning” helps learners use it correctly in professional emails, conversations, or academic writing. Unlike casual phrases like “ask for,” this expression carries a respectful tone and is suitable when you want to show politeness or formality.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Enquire something of somebody
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2 to C1 (Upper-Intermediate to Advanced)
- Short meaning: To ask someone for information or a favor politely
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Enquire sth of sb” is an inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot separate “enquire” from “of” in this structure.
Patterns include:
- Enquire + something + of + somebody
- Enquire + about something (different meaning)
Note: “Enquire about” means to ask generally about a subject, while “enquire something of somebody” focuses on asking a specific thing from a person.
How to Use “Enquire sth of sb”?
Use this phrase when you want to politely request information or an action from someone, often in formal or professional settings. It is suitable when addressing colleagues, officials, or people you don’t know well.
Example: “I would like to enquire the status of my application of the HR manager.”
Examples
Here are some natural sentences using “Enquire sth of sb in a sentence”:
- She enquired the details of the project of her supervisor before starting.
- We enquired the availability of the conference room of the administration office.
- The customer enquired the price of the product of the sales representative.
- He enquired the reasons of the delay of the delivery from the logistics team.
Common Mistakes
Many learners confuse the structure or use “enquire” incorrectly by separating the phrase or using it in informal contexts.
- Incorrect: I enquired of him the schedule. (awkward word order)
- Correct: I enquired the schedule of him.
- Incorrect: She enquired about him the details. (wrong preposition use)
- Correct: She enquired the details of him.
Differences / Synonyms
You might wonder how “enquire sth of sb” differs from similar phrases like “ask for” or “enquire about.”
- Enquire sth of sb: Formal, polite, focused on getting something specific from a person.
- Ask for sth: More informal, used broadly to request anything.
- Enquire about sth: To ask generally or seek information about a topic, not a specific item from a person.
Example: “I enquired the time of the receptionist” (formal and specific) vs. “I asked for the time” (casual).
Common Collocations
When using “enquire sth of sb,” certain objects are commonly used:
- Details: Asking for specific information.
- Status: Requesting an update.
- Availability: Checking if something is free or ready.
- Permission: Requesting approval.
- Information: General knowledge or facts.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of enquire sth of sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation demonstrating the phrase in use:
Anna: I need to know if the meeting room is free tomorrow.
Tom: I can enquire the availability of the room of the admin office for you.
Anna: Thanks, please do. That would be very helpful.
Practice
Try filling in the blanks with the correct form of “enquire sth of sb”:
- She __________ the price __________ the store manager before buying.
- We need to __________ the schedule __________ the event coordinator.
- He __________ the permission __________ his teacher to leave early.
FAQs
- Q: Is “enquire sth of sb” formal or informal?
A: It is formal and polite. - Q: Can I use “enquire” alone?
A: Yes, but “enquire sth of sb” is a specific structure. - Q: What is the difference between “enquire of” and “enquire about”?
A: “Enquire of” asks a specific thing from someone; “enquire about” asks general information. - Q: Can I replace “enquire” with “ask”?
A: Yes, but “enquire” sounds more formal. - Q: Is “sth” used in everyday speech?
A: No, “sth” is shorthand in writing; say “something” in speech.
